The World: V-B Day

It could be argued that the most excruciating negotiations in the world
have been the twice-monthly sessions of the Korean armistice commission
in Panmunjom. Over the years the stalemated talks have turned into
something of an endurance contest, with national honor at stake. After
sitting down at 11 a.m. in their meeting rooms, the ten delegatesfive
representing North Korea and five (a South Korean, an American, a
Briton, a Thai and a Filipino) for the U.N.would not budge until one
of the squirming participants broke down and in desperation moved for
adjournment, usually late in the afternoon. On one particularly
truculent...